Environmental Biology, ECOL206, spring 2007 Bonine & Tyler 110 January 2007 Environmental Biology Syllabus ECOL 206, spring 2007, University of Arizona Kevin Bonine, Ph.D., Anna Tyler - Graduate TA William A. Calder III, 1934–2002 Bill Calder was the instructor for this course for many years. He lived with a passion and a dedication for science, biology, and the environment. Bill Calder, Rocky Mountain Biological Station, Gothic, CO. Photograph taken in July 1999 by Lorene Calder. Introduction Welcome to Environmental Biology. Our focus will be on the basic principles of environmental biology, ecology, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. This is a course in biology for non-majors, therefore, our discussion will begin broadly, but by the end of the course we hope you will understand and appreciate the natural forces that generate and maintain the diversity of life we see on our planet, as well as the myriad interactions among both biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems. We also hope you will be able to objectively assess the role that humans have played in changing the natural environment, especially during the last few centuries. Meeting Times Lecture: MWF 0900–0950h in BSW 219 Lab/Discussion: Lab 2. Wednesday 1400-1700h in CBS/KOFFL 410 Lab 4. Friday 1100-1400h in CBS/KOFFL 410 Please attend the lab/discussion section in which you are enrolled. Instructors Kevin E. Bonine, Ph.D. (626-0092, [email protected]) Office Hours: TBA in BSE 1D (in the basement) and by appointment. T.A.: Anna Tyler ([email protected]) Office Hours: TBA and by appointment Course Materials Readings will be provided by the instructors (placed on the course website, placed on reserve in the library, or made available for photocopy). Quinn, Daniel. 1993. Ishmael. Bantam Paper. Purchase optional; 16 copies on reserve in UA Science library (password = 206ecol2007). You should also obtain a small field notebook for lab (details below).Environmental Biology, ECOL206, spring 2007 Bonine & Tyler 2Optional (an Environmental Biology Text Book): There are several to choose from and a few will be on reserve in the UA Science Library. Purchases on-line or through Antigone Books (411 N. 4th Ave., 792-3715) are suggested. A few examples: Botkin, Daniel B. and Edward A. Keller. 2003. Environmental Science: earth as a living planet 4th edition. John Wiley & Sons. Cunningham, William P., Mary A. Cunningham, and Barbara Saigo. 2005. Environmental Science: A Global Concern 8th edition. McGraw Hill. Miller, G. Tyler, Jr. 2004. Environmental Science 10th edition. Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning, Pacific Grove, California. Miller, G. Tyler, Jr. 2005. Sustaining the Earth 7th edition. Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning, Pacific Grove, California. Ricklefs, Robert E. 2001. The Economy of Nature 5th edition. W.H. Freeman and Co. Raven, Peter H. and Linda R. Berg. 2006. Environment 5th edition. John Wiley & Sons. Wright, Richard T. 2005. Environmental Science. Pearson/Prentice Hall. Withgott, Jay and Scott Brennan. 2007. Essential Environment: the science behind the stories 2nd edition. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings. (shorter paperback) Withgott, Jay and Scott Brennan. 2007. Environment: the science behind the stories 2nd edition. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings. (longer hardback) Course Work Lecture Exams (three midterms @ 100 pts each, cumulative final 150 pts) 450 Participation Grade (attendance, contribution to lecture discussions, lecture quizzes, etc.) 50 Current Events Journal (fourteen @ 10 pts each, not accepted late) 140 Creativity Project (10, 25, 70) 105 Lab/Discussion (~15 per lab: lab assignments, lab quizzes, lab attendance) 195 Total Points: 940 Grading Assignments are due no later than the beginning of class on the due date. Late assignments will be penalized 10% for each day they are late. (Weekly current event assignments will not be accepted late.) We realize that you have lives (cars do break down, people die, stuff happens). In exceptional documented cases, and if arrangements are made in advance, we will consider your unique situation. Grades will generally be distributed as follows: ≥ 90% A 80-89% B 70-79% C 60-69% D ≤ 59% F Please re-familiarize yourself with policies against plagiarism, etc., within the UA Student Code of Academic Integrity: http://studpubs.web.arizona.edu/policies/cacaint.htm Students caught cheating may be penalized by failing the relevant assignment or exam, failing the course, or being expelled. Cheating includes plagiarism or copying from another student; everyone involved will receive a zero for the assignment and may be referred for university disciplinary action. Students with Disabilities: If you anticipate the need for reasonable accommodations to meet the requirements of this course, you must register with the Disability Resource Center (Disability Resource Center, 1224 East Lowell Street Tucson, Arizona 85721, Phone: (520) 621-3268 V/TTY Fax: (520) 621-9423, E-mail: [email protected]) and request that the DRC send the instructor official notification of yourEnvironmental Biology, ECOL206, spring 2007 Bonine & Tyler 3accommodation by the beginning of the 3rd week of class. Please plan to meet with us by appointment or during office hours to discuss accommodations and how the course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate. All related discussions will remain confidential. Attendance You are expected to attend each lecture, each discussion/laboratory session, and the all-day Saturday field trip to Mt. Lemmon. Another potential Saturday field trip will be optional. Be prepared and ready to contribute. Quizzes (often unannounced) may be occasionally given to motivate you to attend class and keep up with the material. Please plan to arrive on time and stay until class is over. Please turn off your cell phone, etc. All holidays or special events observed by organized religions will be honored for those students who indicate affiliation with that particular religion. Absences pre-approved by the UA Dean of Students (or Dean's designee) will be honored. Course Web Site We will maintain an ECOL206 website (http://eebweb.arizona.edu/eeb_course_websites.htm) with readings, assignments, schedules, announcements, etc. Appropriate powerpoint lectures